This is not the first time that Only Fools And Horses has come out top of a major TV poll. A nationwide vote conducted by the BBC in 2004 for its Britain's Best Sitcom series also named the programme as the nation's favourite sitcom.

With over 20 million viewers tuning in for many episodes, the sitcom is one of the most watched British comedies of all time. It was recently revealed that, for a period of time, the BBC was embarrassed about the show's success as they had nearly cancelled it after the first series.

The sitcom was only saved when industrial action stopped production on new shows, meaning the BBC had to fill gaps its schedules with repeats. Only Fools And Horses was one such show to be repeated, and then found an audience.

British Comedy Guide has previously revealed that a new episode of the show had been planned for Christmas 2011 to mark the 30th anniversary of the show. However, the project was scrapped when creator and writer John Sullivan died in April 2011 of viral pneumonia. Should it have gone ahead, it has recently been reported that the episode would have been set against Del Boy's 65th birthday celebrations at the Nags Head, and announcing plans for his retirement.

Speaking on Britain's Best Loved Sitcoms in regard to the show's longevity and popularity, John Challis - aka Boycie - concluded: "I think it is so much part of the national fabric, I don't think it will ever be forgotten."